Why Laurent Robinson Will Be Key for Tony Romo in the Second Half of 2011

When the Dallas Cowboys lost wide receiver Miles Austin to his hamstring injury earlier this season, many analysts were wondering how the Dallas offense would stay afloat without their premier No. 1 wideout, the answer turned out to be Laurent Robinson.

Robinson is a veteran receiver who has spent time with the Atlanta Falcons and St. Louis Rams over his four years in the league, but never has he looked as in sync with an offense as he does with the Cowboys, albeit over a small sample size.

Despite not joining the roster until the first game against the Washington Redskins earlier this season, Robinson has logged four touchdowns, 27 receptions and two games with 100 or more receiving yards.

Basically, he's been doing his best impression of Austin.

Tony Romo seems to have built a chemistry with the new No. 81 for Dallas in a short period of time, almost in the same way he did with former Cowboy Patrick Crayton.

Like Crayton, Robinson has proven to have a knack for catching the most crucial of passes as well as not simply not dropping the ball that often. Romo knows he can trust his newest wideout.

When Austin returns within the next few weeks, the former Ram will once again see himself used in the slot, which could be the most deadly place for him to line up. With defensive backs having to key on Austin and second-year receiver Dez Bryant on top of Jason Witten, there's a fair chance Robinson will see plenty of favorable matchups.

Dallas head coach Jason Garrett will have such a wide array of receiving threats—on top of Felix Jones and DeMarco Murray in the running game—that this offense could end up being one of the top three in all of the NFL by season's end.

Robinson will need to continue to put up solid numbers until Austin returns, but he shows no signs of not being up to the task considering that's all he's done all season.

Once the Cowboys' passing attack is back at full strength and the rushing game continues to be one opposing defenses must respect, look for the 'Boys to put up big numbers.